Bouldering event hosted at COTR

Local climbers are hoping to start friendly bouldering competitions in Fernie.

On Jan. 15, a bouldering competition took over the Fernie campus of College of the Rockies. The bouldering wall at the College is open from October until June, and is open to public at certain times.

Patty Villasenor, an organizer of the event, is hoping to create interest in climbing with friendly bouldering competitions.

“The Fernie Bouldering Club, which is kind of an unofficial club, we are trying to get more people to join this club so we can get more people who are keen on climbing and interested in climbing to come out,” she said.

People were awarded with prizes at the competition, including the crowning of the King and Queen of the Wall. The King and Queen both received shirts, donated by Giv’er Shirtworks, for their accomplishments.

“The climbing community is fairly small so they tend to support each other and help each other out throughout the valley,” said Villasenor.

Villasenor said she is hoping to host a similar bouldering competition at the bouldering wall at Evolution Fitness later this winter.

“We are trying to open it up to kids as well and we are definitely hoping to make it a yearly event.”